JoAnn Capers was born on August 12, 1946, in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. to the late Mary Alice Gamble and Joseph Bennett. She was raised in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. and graduated from Laing High School, in Charleston, SC.

After graduating high school, she relocated to Brooklyn, New York and worked at the Hadley Kalbe Watch Band Company for many years. JoAnn went on to continue her education at SUNY Adult Continuing Education Program. She worked for many years as an early childhood teacher's

assistant and retired from Bank Street Head Start in 2005.

JoAnn was a cherished and long-time member of Stuyvesant Heights Christian Church for nearly 30 years. She served on several committees in the church including finance, food pantry, and the usher board. She was a member of the NYS Usher Association for over 20 years and enjoyed traveling to other churches in the community.

JoAnn had a wonderful sense of humor, an infectious laugh, and a no

nonsense attitude that those who knew and loved her cherished. She lived

a full and beautiful life, devoting herself to raising her only child, Keisha Kearse, and serving her lord and savior Jesus Christ. She had a special relationship with her only grandson, Anthony Boxill Jr., most recently, organizing a special dinner to celebrate his enlistment in the United States Army. JoAnn was a gifted cook who blessed many with her delicious meals. She enjoyed caring for her beautiful plants and spending time with her family. JoAnn also enjoyed spending time with her friends at the Senior Center where she learned how to sew handbags and made bags for several family and church members.

JoAnn went on to be with her lord and savior on August 17, 2024. She is proceeded in death by her parents, Mary Alice Gamble and Joseph Bennett, and her brother, Arthur Gamble Jr.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her uncle, Henry Capers (Reva), sisters, Minister Mary Jane Capers and Katherine Horry (Eugene), her daughter, Keisha Kearse (Dawn), her grandchildren, Anthony Boxill, Danae Hill, and Nailah Smith, great grandchild, Dawnella Hill, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will miss her dearly.